| Courses Offered
at Thomas Walker High School |
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| Core
Classes |
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| Math |
Science |
English |
History |
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| Career
&
Technical Studies (Practical Art) |
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| Agriculture |
Family
& Consumer
Sciences |
Business | ||
| Other
Areas |
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| Foreign
Language |
Fine Art | JROTC | Physical Education |
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| Courses
with an SOL test given upon completion
designated by *. College credit courses designated by **. |
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| Math
8* Prerequisites: None The objective of this course is to complete the material begun in elementary school and prepare the student for the 8th grade SOL. Pre-Algebra Prerequisites: Teacher Recommendation This course is intended for students taking Algebra I as a freshman and who plan on the more rigorous mathematics classes. Algebra I part I Algebra I part II* Prerequisites: Math 8 These two courses are designed to be taken consecutively over a two-year period. Combined, these courses complete an Algebra I program. Algebra I* Prerequisites: Pre-Algebra This course is designed to teach the algebraic concepts needed to continue in the college-bound mathematics courses and prepare the student for the SOL test. Applied Computer Math Prerequisites: Algebra I This course provides students with experiences in using the computer to solve problems that can be set up as mathematical models. Students will develop and refine skills in logic, organization, and precise expression. Geometry* Prerequisites: Algebra I This college preparatory course encompasses the study of plane geometry, deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, and independent thinking skills. Algebra II* Prerequisites: Geometry This college preparatory course furthers the concepts begun in Algebra I and Geometry and introduces complex numbers and functions. Honors Algebra I*, Honors Geometry*, and Honors Algebra II* These classes offer the same learning objectives as Algebra I, Geomerty, and Algebra II, except these courses move at a much faster pace. Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry Prerequisites: Algebra II A rigorous course involving periodic functions and applying the mathematical processes with the intent of further mathematical study at a higher level. Statistics** Prerequisites: Algebra II This class is offered on-line through the A. Linwood Holton Governor's School. The course is designed to introduce students to fundamental techniques of probability calculation and statistical analysis. Students will learn basic mathematical tools for effective experiment design, experiemental result analysis, and "real world" probability determination. Class discussion will emphasize how statistics and probability relate to daily news stories, contemporary debate topics, and day-to-day life. A graphing calculator is needed. Multivariate Calculus & Analytical Geometry** Prerequisites: Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry (must at least be enrolled in) This class is offered on-line through the A. Linwood Holton Governor's School. This course is designed to introduce students to the powerful mathematical tools that comprise the calculus. Students will learn to solve a broad range of "real world" problems in the engineering and physical science fields through application of calculus fundamentals. Students will also be introduced to the use of computers for calculus based problem solution. A graphing calculator is needed. |
| Earth
Science* Prerequisites: None This course is typically offered at the 9th grade level. Earth Science is a detailed look at our planet and the processes that have shaped it. During the course, students will be exposed to important concepts in astronomy, meterology, geology, and oceanography. This is a required course primarily for freshman with an end-of-course SOL. From volcanoes to exploding stars to sea floor life, Earth Science offers new and interesting experiences. Chemistry* Prerequisites: None This course is typically offered at the 11th grade level. Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes matter can undergo. An introduction to chemistry includes stoichiometry, atomic structure, chemical bonding, thermochemistry, gases, and chemical reactions. Weekly laboratory exercises emphasize quantitative techniques and complement the lecture material. Biology*, Advanced Biology, and AP Biology** Prerequisites: None This course is typically offered at the 10th grade level. Biology is the study of living things. This multi-level study begins with General Biology with topics such as cytology, genetics, taxonomy, and ecology. The second year course, Advanced Biology, explores the above topics in more detail while focusing on the anatomy and physiology of the human body. After completion of these two courses, seniors may take Advanced Placement Biology and receive college credit with satisfactory scores on the AP Exam. All courses include lecture, laboratory activities, research projects, and dissection. Each course is designed to provide students with a greater understanding of the world around them. Physical Science* Prerequisites: None This course is typically offered at the 8th grade level. Physical Science is the study of matter and energy in the Universe. During this course, students will study motion, force, waves, electricity, magnetism, and energy. Weekly laboratory activities will complement the lecture material and students will enjoy hands-on exploration of the topics. Ecology Prerequisites: None This course is open to any student in grades 10th throgh 12th. Ecology is the study of the connections and interactions of the living (biotic) and the non-living (abiotic) parts of the environment. Ecology studies include environmental cycles, natural resources, biomes, and the effect of human interactions on an everchanging ecosystem called Earth. Astronomy** Prerequisites: Algebra II This class is offered on-line through the A. Linwood Holton Governor's School. Astronomy continues to enjoy a golden age of discovery and exploration. In this course you will learn of new adventures in the study of the oldest science. Not only will you discover new facts, but you will grow to appreciate the cosmos that surrounds us. You will complete projects such as building your own telescope and star finder to guide your understanding and knowlege of the universe. Physics** Prerequisites: Algebra II, Geometry (or equivalent) This class is offered on-line through the A. Linwood Holton Governor's School. The course covers the fundamental principles of physics, including the mechanics, thermodynamics, wave phenomena, electricity, and magnetism, and selected topics from modern physics. It is to give you an idea of the way physicists view the world; to have the satisfaction of understanding and even predicting the outcome of activities happening all around you; to know enough about physics to have a rewarding career in a highly technological society; to be able to make informed decisions in an increasingly complex world, and perhaps most important of all, to learn to ask questions. Human Anatomy & Physiology** Prerequisites: Biology and General Chemistry This class is offered on-line through the A. Linwood Holton Governor's School. The course will present an integrated approach to human anatomy and physiology along with microbiology and pathology. The structure and function of hte human body will be investigated. Upon completion of this two semester study students should understand the scope and subdivision of anatomy and physiology as well as the chemistry of the human body as it related to the health sciences. Any student considering any field in the medical sciences can benefit from this course. Human Anatomy Part I and Part II should be taking consecutively. Engineering and Robotics** Prerequisites: Physics, Algebra I, and Algebra II This class is offered on-line through the A. Linwood Holton Governor's School. Engineering and Robotics is designed to help you understand what an engineer is and what an engineer does. It will give you a strong foundation in engineering fundamentals and help cultivate your problem-solving skills. Industrial robots, educational robots, and personal robots will be explored. You will even build your own robot! |
| English
8* Prerequisites: None Eighth graders practice various interviewing techniques. Students also practice the writing process (brainstorming, outlining, rough drafting, editing and proofreading, and final drafting) to create a variety of writings, including narrative, expository, and persuasive essays. Students will interpret mass media messages. Students will also discuss themes, main ideas, and show the cause and effect relationships in plot. Students will draw conclusions from a variety of literary selections. English 9 Prerequisites: Must have passed the previous level of English Ninth graders present and critique dramatic readings of literary selections and continue to develop proficiency in making planned oral presentations. Literary works will be covered with focus on thematics, symbolism, and cultural and historical diversity. Research and reporting through electronic databases will be required. Writings will include narrative, expository, and technical essays. Honors English 9 and 10 Prerequisites: Must have passed the previous level of English with an A or B and have teacher recommendation These courses cover the same content as their regular counterparts at a more rigorous pace. Additional components include: required summer readings, more writing assignments, and higher reading level works. Honors English 10 is also considered a preparatory course for students wishing to take AP English. English 10 Prerequisites: Must have passed the previous level of English Tenth graders will become skilled communicators in small-group learning activities. Students will read and critique literary works from various cultures and eras using various critical approaches. Attention will be given to the analysis of printed consumer information. Students will critique the writing of peers and professionals, using analysis to improve their own writing skills. English 11* Prerequisites: Must have passed the previous level of English Eleventh graders will make persuasive oral prsentations with attention to accuracy of evidence and effetiveness of delivery. The students' appreciation for literature will be enhanced by the study of contemporary and classic American literature. Prevalent themes and characterizations reflective of the culture and history of the country will be identified. The students will be able to write clear and accurate business and technical correspondence and reports for researching in all subjects. Students will carefully create an organized MLA formatted research paper in which they have evaluated, synthesized, and presented ideas with citations. Students must take an SOL test in Writing and Reading & Research. AP English 11* Prerequisites: Must have passed the previous level of English with an A or B and have teacher recoomendation This course covers the same content as English 11 at a more rigorous pace. In addition to this content students will begin focusing on the skills necessary to succeed on the AP English 12 test. English 12 Prerequisites: Must have passed the previous level of English Twelfth graders will use organizational skills, audience awareness, appropriate vocabulary and grammar, and both verbal and nonverbal presentation skills to plan and deliver effective oral presentations. Students will create resumes and portfolios for furture career and educational reference. Students will analyze British literature and selections from other cultures. Selections often relate to government and society as a whole.Writing will include the production of technical and expository papers, which are organized logically and contain clear and accurate ideas. The students also will produce a major MLA documented research paper. AP English 12 ** Prerequisites: AP English 11 This course covers the same content as English 12 at a more rigorous pace. In addition to this content students will focus on the skills necessary to succeed on the AP English 12 test. Students scoring at a suffiecient level on the AP test may receive credit for the first semester of college English. Score expectations and standards differ depending on the college chosen by the student. Typically colleges require a score of 3 on a scale of 5. |
| World
Geography* Prerequisite: None World Geography is normally offered at the 8th grade level. It is the study of the physical, human, and environmental elements of the earth's surfaces and the processes that shape it. The connections between places, and the complex relationships between people and their environments will be examined. Attention will be given to North America and Western Europe with emphasis also on Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe. Government Prerequisites: None Government is normally offered at the 12th grade level. United States and Virginia Government is the study of the governmental process of both national and state levels. This field of study will include the foundations of which our government is based, plus the knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial system. State and local government will be used in daily discussion relating to the role of governemnt in society. United States History* Prerequisites: None U.S. History is normally offered at the 11th grade level. It involves the study of events and people who have shaped our nation and state. Study will begin with new world exploration and trace the steps of United States history to the present. All important events and occurrences will be analyzed to determine their influence on our nation as a whole. World History Part I* Prerequisites: None World History Part I is normally offered at the 9th grade level and is named Part I because it covers both history and geography from the beginning of time until the Renaissance and Reformation. The major emphasis will be on the various cultures, the way the cultures existed, survived, and how they affected future cultures. This information will then be related to how these ancient cultures affect our lives of today. World History Part II* Prerequisites: None World History Part II is called Part II because it covers the study of World History from the Renaissance and Reformation to the present. Part I is not a necessary prerequisite for enrollment in Part II. The major emphasis will be on Western Europe with attention given to the way revolutions have produced both social and political changes. The people and events of the 19th and 20th centuries will be emphasized for their strong connection to contemporary issues. World War I, World War II, and The Cold War, are three topics which will also be covered. Psychology Prerequisites: None Psychology is offered to students in 11th or 12th grade. It is the study of human and animal behavior. Topics include, but are not limited to cultural diversity, how the individual asjusts in society, social inequality, social institutions, and the changing social world. Additional topics include the history of Psychology and the contributions of people such as Freud, James and Watson. Sociology Prerequisites: None Sociology is offered to students in 9th through 12th grade. It is the science that studies human society and social behavior. Topics include, but are not limited to, cultural diversity, how the individual adjusts in society, social inequality, social institutions, and the changing social world. Western Civilization** Prerequisites: U.S. and World History This class is offered on-line through the A. Linwood Holton Governor's School. The course is designed to introduce students to the history of humankind from the earliest period through the present with an emphasis on Western Civilization. Students will learn about the major cultures, ideas, people, and events which have influenced the development of modern Western society. World Civilization** Prerequisites: Algebra II This class is offered on-line through the A. Linwood Holton Governor's School. The course offers students an introduction to the history of humankind from prehistory to the twenty-first century. While the approach is similar to the Western Civilization course, this course has a global perspective. This course is designed to survey the Asian, African, Latin American, and European civilizations from the ancient period to the present. Students will find that World Civilization supplements rather than replaces the Western Civilization course. |
| Agricultural
Mechanics and Basic
Plant Science I Prerequisites: None This course is typically offered at the 8th or 9th grade. Eighth graders do not receive a credit for this course. Approximately one-half of this course is devoted to agricultural mechanics, with emphasis, placed on skill development in basic metal, tool fitting and cold metals, basic arc welding, sheet metal, soldering and brazing, plan reading and sketching, and hand woodworking. The remainder of the course emphasizes the development of competencies in plant sciences, rural and urban living, leadership, and resource conservation. Agricultural Mechanics and Basic Animal Science II Prerequisites: Must have passed previous level of Agriculture This course is typically offered at the 9th or 10th grade. Students continue to learn agriculture mechanics, with emphasis placed on fundamentals of electricity, arc welding, gas cutting and welding, small engines, power woodworking, and wood and metal preservatives. They also receive instruction in animal science and further develop competencies in rural and urban living, leadership, and resource conservation. Agricultural Production Technology III Prerequisites: Must have passed previous level of Agriculture This course is typically offered at the 10th or 11th grade.This course emphasizes one or more areas of plant science, animal science, soil science, and agriculture business management, and agriculture mechanization, based upon the student’s employment objective. Supervised occupational experienced programs and leadership training are important parts of the course. When only single periods are provided greater emphasis is placed on individuals instruction and supervised occupational experience programs. Agricultural Production Management IV Prerequisites: Must have passed previous level of Agriculture This course is typically offered at the 11th or 12th grade.Course includes instruction in agriculture mechanics, with emphasis placed on the application of mechanical skills to farm power and machinery, soil and water management, supervised farming programs, and leadership training. |
Individual Development Prerequisites: None Focus on developing personal potential by enhancing positive views of self and others, managing stressful situations, formulating a career plan, forming healthy relationships, and exploring parenting. Life Planning Prerequisites: None Focus on developing personal potential by enhancing positive views of self and others, managing stressful situations, formulating a career plan, forming healthy relationships, and exploring parenting. Family Relations Prerequisites: None Analyze the significance of the family; nurturing human development; maintaining healthy relationships; dealing with stress; and analyzing social forces that impact the family. Resource Management Prerequisites: None Focus on managing resources to achieve individual goals; making informed choices; and maintaining a supportive living environment. Basic Living Prerequisites: None An experiential course offering information on wellness, basic nutrition, and necessary life skills. Nutrition and Wellness Prerequisites: None Students enrolled in Nutrition and Wellness focus on making choices that promote wellness and good health; analyzing relationships between psychological and social needs and food choices; choosing foods that promote wellness; obtaining and storing food for self and family; preparing and serving nutritious meals and snacks; selecting and using equipment for food preparation; and identifying strategies to promote optimal nutrition and wellness of society. Teachers highlight the basic skills of math, science, and communication when appropriate in the content. Parenting Prerequisites: None Students enrolled in Parenting focus on assessing the impact on the parenting role in society; taking responsibility for individual growth within the parenting role; preparing for a healthy emotional and physical beginning for parent and child; meeting development needs of children and adolescents; building positive parent-child relationships; using socially responsible behavior; obtaining parenting information, support, and assistance; and planning ways that families and society can share in nurturing children and adolescents. Teachers highlight the basic skills of math, science, and communication when appropriate in the content. |
| Keyboarding/Computer
Applications 8 Prerequisites: None This course is allows students to develop touch skills for entering alphabetic, numeric, and symbol information on a keyboard. Students compose and produce personal, educational, and professional documents. Keyboarding Applications Prerequisites: None Students enhance touch skills for entering information on a keyboard. Students compose a variety of personal, educational, and professional documents. Principles of Business and Marketing Prerequisites: None Students study how the economy operates and prepare to make decisions as consumers, wage earners, and citizens. Computer Information Systems 1/11 Prerequisites: Keyboarding Applications Students apply problem solving skills to real-life situations through word processing, spreadsheets, database, and multimedia presentation software, and through integrated software activities. Students work to explore computer concepts, operating systems, networks and telecommunications, and emerging technologies. Completion of this course may prepare students for the certification exam for Microsoft O Office User. Accounting Prerequisites: Keyboarding Applications This course is open to 10th through 12th grade students. Students study the basic principles, concepts, and practices of the accounting cycles. Students learn fundamental accounting procedures using a manual and an electrical system. |
| Fine Arts Art I Prerequisites: None This course is open to 9th through 12th grade students. This course inroduced the Elements of Art and the Principles of Design through a variety of projects and mediums. Art students in the past have participated in Art Shows such as Kaleidoscope, MECC Annual High School Exhibit, and the Wilderness Road State Park Festival Art II-IV Prerequisites: Student must have passed the previous level of Art This course is open to 9th through 12th grade students. This course continues the study of the Elements of Art through an independent study approach. This allows students to explore the phases of Art, giving them opportunity to discover which phase attracts their attention most. Band Prerequisite: None This course is open to 9th through 12th grade students. Students normally enter band in elementary school or study individual instruments prior to enrolling in this class. The band instructor splits time between the high school and the elementary schools. This fact restricts band to a single period during the day. Normally that period is 7th. Chorus Prerequisite: None This course is open to 9th through 12th grade students. The instructor splits time between the high school and the elementary schools. This fact restricts band to a single period during the day. Normally that period is 5th. |